NDLEA shifts strategy to liquidate drug cartels' financial empires, says Marwa

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency isn't content with just locking up drug traffickers anymore. It wants their money, their houses, their cars — everything.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd) announced Friday that the agency is aggressively targeting the financial assets of drug trafficking networks. The goal is to dismantle the economic foundations of drug cartels in Nigeria.

“We aren't just arresting traffickers; we're liquidating their financial empires,” Marwa said through the agency’s Secretary, Shadrach Haruna, at a joint press briefing with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in Abuja.

The agency is using a legal tool called civil action in rem. In simple terms, this allows the NDLEA to go after assets — like houses, cars, or bank accounts — that are suspected to be proceeds of drug crimes. It can do this even without first convicting someone of a criminal offence. The burden of proof is on the asset, not the person.

“Through the civil action in rem instrumentalities, assets reasonably suspected to be proceeds of drug crimes are aggressively targeted and forfeited to the Federal Government. This effectively cuts off the lifeblood of these criminal networks,” Marwa said.

Marwa said the agency’s legal department has achieved unprecedented conviction rates. This has been strengthened by the Proceeds of Crime Act, which gives NDLEA greater powers to pursue the financial interests of drug barons beyond criminal prosecution.

The offensive against drug cartels began in January 2021. Marwa said it has maintained relentless momentum, leading to the arrest and successful prosecution of major drug barons.

The briefing also outlined activities for the 2026 World Drug Day, with the theme “The World Drug Problem: Persisting Issues, New Challenges, Innovative Responses.”

On Saturday, June 20, the agency will hold a Walk Against Drugs in collaboration with Baze University, Nile University, and the MTN Foundation. It starts at 8:00 am from the African University of Science and Technology in Galadimawa.

A Thanksgiving Church Service follows on Sunday, June 21.

On Monday, June 22, the agency will host the final level of a national essay competition themed “Say No to Drug: Building a Healthy and Responsible Generation” at the NDLEA Conference Room in Abuja.

Tuesday, June 23 is NGO Day, dedicated to civil society partners involved in grassroots sensitisation efforts.

Wednesday, June 24 will see the Youth Out of School Programme, targeting youths in major markets and motor parks within the FCT Area Councils with anti-drug messaging.

Thursday, June 25 is set aside for strategic planning and final reviews.

The grand finale will hold on Friday, June 26 at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja. It will bring together government functionaries, the diplomatic community, and international stakeholders to unveil new policy frameworks for tackling the modern drug crisis.